Domestic violence is a pattern of physical and psychological abuse, threats, intimidation, isolation or economic coercion used by one person to exert power and control over another person in the context of a dating, family or household relationship.

Domestic violence is maintained by societal and cultural attitudes, institutions and laws which are not consistent in naming this violence as wrong.

The Government defines domestic violence as "Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality." This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called 'honour killings'.

Kurdistan Refugee Women’s Organisation (KMEWO) is strongly supporting the voices of women's organisations
and violence against women (VAW) campaigns that affirm that the UK
Government must comply with its international commitment on tackling VAW.

This commitment involves the development of a cross-departmental strategy to
end all forms of violence against women and to form a National Strategy on VAW
including all forms of gender based violence such as domestic violence, honour
based violence, forced marriages, FGM, rape and sexual harassment and violence
against children and young girls.

Meanwhile we would like to contribute to any
local or national strategies that intend to tackle any kind of violence against
women.

KMEWO is pleased that ACPO has seeked our views about their (draft) Honour Based Violence Strategy. We are also pleased that this issue is
now being thoroughly looked at and appropriate actions will be taken to help
victims and punish perpetrators.

Violence Against Women Must Stop!

Latest:

Press Releases

Forced Marriage should be criminalise as much as trafficking and other sexual exploitation of women and young girls Read more

KMEWO Quarterly News:

KMEWO's activities over the last three months includes the provision of advice and information, a women's enpowering programme, a series of health awareness seminars, a volunteering placement programme and ESOL classes ....

In 2009 the Nationwide Foundation awarded a grant to the Kurdish and Middle Eastern Women's Organisation and two other groups to develop two projects under its Investors Programme Scheme. One of the projects, a DVD, entitled "For Honour and Love", was developed jointly by KMEWO and Eighteen & Under from Dundee in Scotland. It covers four themes, namely, Honour Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage and Controlling....

100 Years and Going Strong - International Women's Day Celebration
The Kurdish and Middle East Women's Organisation (KMEWO) would like to join the many millions of women
around the world in celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March. This day represent the role of women in
the building of modern societies and a well earned recognition of their achievements. ...Read more

“For Honour and Love” specialist training DVD & Manual Launch - Luton, Friday 21 January 2011The short films were produced
in collaboration with Eighteen & Under and funded by Nationwide Foundation. Each short
film explores a different aspect of Honour-Based Violence; the threat of honour killing,
forced marriage, female genital mutilation and issues relating to isolation and control...Read more

For Honour and Love (DVD) & Training Handbook

The DVD covers four themes, which are related to domestic violence, i.e.

Lost in Translation – a scene about control in relationships

The Holiday – a scene about female genital cutting

A Family Affair (Part 1) – a scene about forced marriages

A Family Affair (Part 2) – a scene about honour killings.....Read more

Campaigning Skills Training with the Refugee Council & the No Recourse to Public Funds Campaign

The No Recourse to Public Funds Rule has a devastating effect on the lives of many Kurdish and Middle Eastern women who enter the UK on a spousal visa, are subjected to domestic violence but are unable to access a refuge because they have no recourse to public funds. ...Read more

Polygamy Issue 13 of Al-Nisa now online! In Arabic and English. English readers will need to read the magazine from back to front....Read more

Conference on Polygamy 2009 - REPORT As part of International Women's Week, KMEWO hosted a Conference on Polygamy. The event was well attended by members of the Kurdish community and supporters including researchers from Bristol University, University of London student reporter, Insight News Television company and an international Kurdish radio station, Nawa ...Read more